Backpacking Philippines: 18 best places to visit
The most rewarding stops for backpackers in Philippines, ranked and mapped — and real routes through them, written by travellers who went.
Read Philippines stories1
El Nido
Palawan
Lagoons and limestone islands.
2
Boracay
Aklan
Famous White Beach.
3
Coron
Palawan
Wreck dives and clear lakes.
4
Siargao
Surigao del Norte
Surf and island-hop capital.
5
Cebu
Cebu
Whale sharks and waterfalls.
6
Bohol
Bohol
Chocolate Hills and tarsiers.
7
Banaue Rice Terraces
Ifugao
Ancient mountain rice steps.
8
Sagada
Mountain Province
Caves and hanging coffins.
9
Manila
Metro Manila
Historic chaotic capital.
10
Puerto Princesa
Palawan
Famous underground river.
11
Moalboal
Cebu
Sardine run and diving.
12
Siquijor
Siquijor
Mystical island, waterfalls.
13
Batanes
Batanes
Rolling green far-north isles.
14
Vigan
Ilocos Sur
Spanish colonial old town.
15
Camiguin
Camiguin
Volcano island, springs.
16
Malapascua
Cebu
Thresher-shark diving.
17
Dumaguete
Negros Oriental
Chilled university town.
18
Apo Island
Negros Oriental
Turtles and marine sanctuary.
Backpacking routes through Philippines
Real trips through Philippines, drawn on maps by the people who took them.
Visayas Island Hopping: Cebu, Siquijor and Bohol by Ferry
A two-week Visayas ferry loop: Moalboal's sardine run, Kawasan Falls canyoneering, Siquijor by motorbike, and Bohol's Chocolate Hills and tarsiers.
Palawan End to End: Puerto Princesa, El Nido and the Boat to Coron
The full Palawan route: the underground river at Sabang, El Nido's lagoon-hopping tours, and the multi-day island expedition boat north to Coron.
Been backpacking in Philippines?
Write your route on farpacker — drop your stops on a real map, tell the story, and help the next backpacker find their way through Philippines.
Write your route